[Archers] Archers Digest, Vol 101, Issue 19

[John Atkins]

Fen, I could not agree with you MORE!  In one long discussion with a new
Trimarian knight, it became obvious, and even stated by the new knight, that
to become a knight there was one criteria, fight well.  Garb, chivalry,
participation in the other arts, even knowing some history, not required.
Just hit people really well.  In my 18 years in this club I too have seen it
go from an historical re-enactment club to a fight club that wears funny
clothes.

 

Why, is the question.  I think it is because those of us who have been
around for a long time have not done a good job of schooling the new folks.
We have allowed a slack standard.  Imagine a person standing in front of a
king who was a stickler on "trying to be period", wearing mundane clothes at
a very large SCA event saying "I don't like garb, it isn't comfortable."
That person should have been taken aside and talked to.  (Not trying to be
an AH here but if one attends a large SCA event then one should at least
make a decent attempt at period garb.)  If they chose to persist with their
mundane choices fine, but they should also have it made known to them the
effect they are having on the rest of us.

 

So I believe it falls upon us to teach the new folks a higher standard, and
push to accept only that higher standard.  Does that mean everyone has to
wear a $500 pair of boots?  No.  It does mean that wearing white Nikes
should be pointed out as not acceptable.  Yes.  There are low cost
solutions.  In my area I have started a program with this as one of its main
objectives.  I can't change the thinking of the chiv, but I can lead by
example and gather folks about me who are like thinking.  In my delusional
state, I like to think that this group will become a group others would like
to become members of and thereby improve a small aspect of this club.

 

Just as a side note - I was asked, a few years back, by another small
re-enactment group to attend one of their events to provide archery.  They
had no one who could do that and they wanted to get it started.  I went.  I
was most impressed by their standard of "everyone must appear period from at
least 10 feet away".  So I made a point of attending their events in my most
period looking garb.  I even bought an ELB to complete the kit (of course
other reasons as well, but we won't go there here). I saw people wearing
cheap  cotton tunics over camo cargo pants.   I hit the wall when their
"prince" was holding "court" while wearing Teva sandals.  When I confronted
him about it I got the old "they're more comfortable".  Birkenstocks I could
accept as a valid attempt at appearing period, but Teva?  I considered doing
an A&S project "proving" that Tevas were period because they have inkle
produced trim as straps, etc.  (Things like this tend to bring out the worst
in me!)  Needless to say I no longer participate with the group as I can get
that right here in the SCA.

 

cog

 

From: archers-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:archers-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Fen &
Michelle
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 10:52 AM
To: Jamie Frailey; archers at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
Subject: Re: [Archers] Archers Digest, Vol 101, Issue 19

 

 

I'm agnostic on this one. Back in the 80s I did heavy and watched my Knight
go through the process - from unbelt to Count to Squire, then Duke and
finally Knight. It was an arduous journey.

I don't want to be one of those "back in the day" types, but the standards
have really slipped since then. There are Knights running around now that
have no business wearing the belt. And I wish there was a way to yank belts
from those subpar knights (other than felony charges).

 

For our own crowd, I can already think of a handful of shooters that are
worthy.  Although some are already squires or peers.  But I would support a
peerage for archery IF the candidates were squired out to heavy weapon
Knights of good character. I strongly believe the first generation should be
well-schooled in all aspects of the Chivalry  - Seven Virtues, chess,
dancing, etc. That way we have a strong foundation to pass on to the next
generation, and our peers will be less likey to stray from the "righteous"
path.

 

But reading between the lines of the census summary, it looks as if (at
best) they will create a peerage for rapier only. Then table the discussion
for several more years. Not trying to rain on any parades - just don't want
us to get our hopes up only to lose people to disappointment and
frustration.

 

Cheers

Fen

 

Atlantian Archery. Nothing exists within 100 yards without our permission.

 

 

From: Jamie Frailey <jamie at designbyfive.com>
To: archers at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org 
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 10:35 AM
Subject: Re: [Archers] Archers Digest, Vol 101, Issue 19

 

I don't know but I think it would be very cool to be part of the Chiv. What
is great about the SCA is there is something for everyone. What is so cool
about archery (Extremely large community)  you can get what ever you want
out of it.  

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://seahorse.atlantia.sca.org/pipermail/archers-atlantia.sca.org/attachments/20120215/baeb3d43/attachment-0003.htm>